(CNN) – It was a crucial swing state that Barack Obama carried in both of his presidential election victories, but a new poll suggests that if Hillary Clinton's the Democratic nominee in 2016, she may have a challenge winning Colorado.

And a Quinnipiac University survey released Thursday also indicates that the George Washington Bridge controversy has hurt New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's standing with voters in the Centennial State.

Washington (CNN) - Behind the glitzy photos spreads, the slick highlight reels and the overstuffed swag bags, a few cities vying to hold the Republican National Convention in 2016 are making demographics a subtle but important part of their pitch to Republican Party leaders.

For Western cities like Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix – all of which are vying to hold the party's presidential nomination convention – their pitches could be boiled down to this: We have both the infrastructure and political symbolism you need.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – Americans may support the general concept of legalizing the use of marijuana, but according to a new national poll, they are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward the way Colorado is actually implementing its new law that makes the sale of marijuana to adults legal.

And a CNN/ORC International survey released Wednesday also indicates that a majority seem to hope that the federal government will lay off Colorado when it comes to enforcing federal law, which still outlaws the sale or possession of pot.

(CNN) - A Democratic, pro-gun control state senator who faced a potential recall in Colorado abruptly resigned Wednesday, less than a week before the recall petition was due.

Sen. Evie Hudak's surprise resignation means a Democratic committee can appoint a new state senator in her place. Had she stayed in office and possibly faced a recall election, she would have gone up against a Republican, thus risking the Democrats' slim one-seat majority in the state Senate.FULL POST

(CNN) – Colorado's gone blue the past two presidential elections, but a new poll indicates Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey leading former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical 2016 showdown for the state's nine electoral votes.

According to a Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday, 46% of Colorado voters say if the 2016 presidential election were held today, they'd back Christie if he were the GOP nominee, with 38% saying they support Clinton if she were the Democratic nominee. That's a change from August, when a Quinnipiac poll indicated Christie and Clinton, who are both seriously considering bids for the White House, basically tied.FULL POST

(CNN) - Voters in 11 rural counties in northern Colorado will go the polls Tuesday to decide whether they want to continue living in the 137-year-old state or break off and form their own.

Even if a majority of voters in the referendum approve secession, breaking away would be a daunting, perhaps nigh-on-impossible path. A new state would require approval first in the Colorado legislature and then from the U.S. Congress, as laid out by Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution.

"Brosurance," reads a new web ad that shows a few bros having a good time. "Keg stands are crazy. Not having health insurance is crazier. Don't tap into your beer money to cover those medical bills. We got it covered."

Washington (CNN) – A recall election in Colorado has shown that the national debate over guns is just as bitterly contested as ever. Two state senators who voted for stricter gun laws earlier this lost their jobs in a recall election and the outcome is reverberating through the country.

State Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs and his colleague, state Sen. Angela Giron of Pueblo, were faced with a recall after voting for Colorado's new gun law that imposed universal background checks on gun purchases and limited magazines to 15 rounds. It was the first ever recall in the state.